Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are a first-time attendee or have been coming to the Mackinac Policy Conference for years, here is some basic information to help you prepare for your stay.
Travel Hotel Meals Attire Miscellaneous
Travel
How do I get there?
The approximate driving time from Detroit is five hours, plus a 15-minute ferry ride to the island. Your initial destination will be Arnold's Mackinac Island Ferry Dock in Mackinaw City. Proceed northbound on I-75, take exit 337 and follow the signs to the dock.
Will I get ferry tickets? When do the ferries run?
You will receive round-trip ferry vouchers in your confirmation mailer, which you will receive in the middle of May. The voucher must be exchanged at the Arnold Ferry ticket office for an actual round-trip ticket. If you forget your ferry voucher, the Arnold ticket office will have a list of registered attendees and will be able to assist you.
Can I fly to the island?
Delta Air Lines flies from Detroit to Pellston. Once there, it is a 20-minute drive to the ferry. Guests can arrange transportation from the airport by calling Wolverine Stages at 800.825.1450 or Mackinaw Shuttle at 888.349.8294.
To fly to Mackinac Island from Pellston, call Great Lakes Air at 906.643.7165. Advance reservations are recommended for both.
For charter air service directly to Mackinac Island from either Pontiac or City Airport, call Dick Greenough at Airnet at 248.666.1300.
Hotel
I'm staying at Grand Hotel - is there anything I need to know?
Guests staying at Grand Hotel will get luggage tags at the dock. Grand Hotel will transfer your luggage to your room in a timely manner. There is a one-time charge of $7.50 per person for transfer of luggage from the dock to the hotel and return. Please note that your room may not be available for occupency until 4 p.m. Guests will settle their bills with Grand Hotel at check out. Grand Hotel will add a gratuity of 19.5% and 6% sales tax to the posted rates. The hotel charge includes all meals. Grand Hotel accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
If you will be arriving late (after 6 p.m.) you must call the hotel at 906.847.3331 for a late arrival. Otherwise the room will not be held for you.
I'm staying downtown. What do I need to know?
Most chamber guests are staying at other hotels. For your convenience, each registrant at a downtown hotel will receive four taxi tickets at check in. Additional taxi tickets are at your expense. Driver gratuity is always appreciated. Taxis will be available at peak times for chamber guests for transit to Grand Hotel. In case a taxi is not waiting when you need it, call Mackinac Carriage Tours/Taxi Office at 906.847.3323.
Attire
What do I need to pack?
- Daytime: casual business dress is appropriate
- Evening: In accordance with Grand Hotel tradition, guests must wear proper attire after 6 p.m. Jackets and ties for men and dresses or pantsuits for ladies are required.
- Wednesday evening: Wednesday evening includes a strolling dinner in the hotel parlor. The dress is more casual than on Thursday or Friday evening.
As you know, Mackinac Island weather can be very unpredictable. Be sure to pack a rain jacket or umbrella. All receptions are held outside (weather permitting), so pack accordingly.
Meals
What are the arrangements for meals?
Your conference registration fee does not include meals in the main dining room. It does, however, include:
Wednesday and Friday strolling dinner
You must have a meal ticket for any meal in the Grand Hotel dining room. If you are staying at Grand Hotel, you will receive a meal book at check-in.
If you are not staying at Grand Hotel, tickets must be purchased before entering the dining room from the front desk.
Meal Prices:
Breakfast $20
Lunch $30
Dinner $65
Miscellaneous
Do I need to register once I get to the island?
Upon arrival at Grand Hotel, stop at the Detroit Regional Chamber registration area to pick up your credentials and conference materials. Admission to sessions and social events will not be allowed without a name badge. The registration area is located on the Lobby Level of Grand Hotel, down the hall from the hotel's front desk.
Can I interact with the conference using one of my favorite social media Web sites?
The conference has an event page on Facebook where attendees can discuss the conference, Twitter will be heavily used throughout the conference (learn more about becoming a V.I.T.) and you the Detroit Regional Chamber's interactive publication Detroiter Online will feature daily questions for users and fresh editorial content throughout the conference.
What is the refund policy?
No registration refunds will be given after May 1; you may transfer your registration to another person. There will be no refunds for non-attendees.
How do I make calls, send faxes and keep in touch with my home office?
There is a Communication Center at Grand Hotel (just outside the Main Dining Room). The center will provide conference participants with a message center, cellular phones, fax machines, access to a color printer, pagers and computer workstations. Text messaging is available if you give your phone number to the Communication Center staff.
At other times, conference registrants may receive messages through Grand Hotel's switchboard at 906.847.3331. At&T will also have a message kiosk near the stairs between the Lobby Level and the Parlor Level.
The Communication Center message number is 906.847.8242, fax is 906.847.8244.
I have media credentials. Where can I go to work?
The Media Center is located in the Terrace room. The room is equipped with cellular phones, wireless access, outbound fax, color printer, multi-media card readers, live feed of general sessions, national news broadcasts as well as meals and refreshments.
What fun activities are available on the island?
Mark your calendar and set your alarm for Thursday's Early Bird Run/Walk, which departs from Grand Hotel porch at 6:30 a.m.
Grand Hotel's private golf courses and tennis courts will be available for your use. Tennis is available at no charge to chamber conference participants. Reservations are suggested - call 906.847.3331 ext. 519.
The Jewel is Grand Hotel's 18 holes of golf comprised of two nine-hole golf courses - the Grand Nine and the Woods Nine. The cost is $75 for 18 holes and $39 for nine, which includes greens fee, cart and round-trip carriage ride (if golfing the Woods). Call the Hotel Pro Shop at 906.847.3331 ext. 518 to reserve a tee time.
Horseback riding, bicycling and private carriage tours are easily arranged through Grand Hotel.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Gade at 313-596-0441.